Spring energized switch operator with roller type stop and release elements



w. s. KOVATS 3,403,565 SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR WITH ROLLER Oct. 1, 1968 TYPE STOP AND RELEASE ELEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30, 1966 w. s. KOVATS 3,403,565 SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR WITH ROLLER Oct. 1, 1968 TYPE STOP AND RELEASE ELEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 30, 1966 imam-22m w. s. KOVATS 3,403,565 SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR WITH ROLLER Oct. 1, 1968 TYPE STOP AND RELEASE ELEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 30,- 1966 Oct. 1, 1968 W. S. KOVATS SPRING ENERC'IZED SWITCH OPERATOR WITH ROLLER Filed March 30, 1966 TYPE STOP AND RELEASE ELEMENTS 6 She ets-Sheet 4 Oct. 1, 1968 w. s. KOVATS 3,403,565

SPRING ENERC'IZED SWITCH OPERATOR WITH ROLLER TYPE STOP AND RELEASE ELEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 30, 1966 Oct. 1, 1968 w. s. KOVATS 3,

' SPRING ENERC'IZED SWITCH OPERATOR WITH ROLLER TYPE STOP ANT) RELEASE ELEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 30, 1966 rates ABSTRAQT OF THE DISQLOSURE The switch operator employs coil springs for snap action in either direction, the coil springs being normally carried by a switch actuating plate and the coil springs being compressed to store energy in the same by rotation of a pair of torque plates located on respective sides of the actuating plate and being rotatable on the same axis. The switch actuator is additionally characterized by hold and release elements carried by the actuating plate. A lever respectively connects each hold and release element with a guide spool which rides in an arcuate slot in one of the torque plates. Thus rotation of the torque plates to a predetermined extent will effect a release of one of the elements depending on the direction of rotation.

The invention relates to high voltage switches and has reference in particular to a multiple position switch operator capable of rapid snap action in either direction from various angular positions to the next angular position for performing the switching operations.

In the operation of high voltage electric switches the safety of the operator or switchman is of paramount importance. Once the switchman has stored the necessary energy in the device to perform a switching operation, the mechanical operator will complete the actual current break and make and at a rapid rate of speed regardless of any additional action on the part of the switchman. Furthermore, once the mechanical switch operator takes over the switching operation, the switchman cannot slow down, stop or reverse the action. A switch operator capable of functioning in this manner is said to be trip free.

Included in the objectives of the invention is to provide a mechanical switch operator capable of having multiple switch operating positions within a full revolution and in either direction of rotation; to provide a mechanical switch operator which will be trip free; and an operator of this type wherein maximum energy is stored in a pair of coil springs prior to release of the operator so as to effect a rapid snap action of the switch contacts in opening and closing directions to thereby eliminate dangerous arcing effects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple position switch operator which will employ two coil springs as an energy source and. wherein both springs are compressed and operative for effecting snap action of the switch contacts in either direction of operation.

A more specific object is to provide a switch operator which will embody novel and improved holding and release elements adapted to coact with fixed stop members located at the stationary positions of the switch. When the torque plates are actuated, energy is stored in the coil springs until they are fully compressed. This action simultaneously withdraws one of the hold and release elements with respect to its particular fixed stop member and upon full compression of the coil springs the actuating plate is released to produce the desired snap action of the switch contacts. When the torque plates are rotated in a reverse direction the other hold and release element is operative for the same purpose.

Another object resides in the provision of multiple position switch mechanism of the character described which will incorporate locking plate mechanism having a fixed connection with the manually operable shaft. A stationary plate, a switch plate, and a ground plate are employed and openings are provided in the plates, respectively, for receiving a locking member when the openings are in alignment in the stationary positions of the switch.

A more specific object is to provide locking plate mechanism of the type described and which can be employed for locking the manually operable shaft of the switch in a closed, in an open, and also in a grounded position. The locking plate mechanism is so constructed and arranged that a pivoted stop member which is normally operative must first be released before the switch contacts can be actuated into a ground position.

With these and various other objects in view the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts FIGURE 1 is an end view, with parts being shown in section, of the switch actuator and locking plate mechanism of the invention, the switch actuator being shifted angularly approximately thirty degrees with respect to the locking plate mechanism to better show the various elements of the same;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1 and showing the coil springs, the hold and release elements and other parts of the switch operator;

FIGURE 3 is a top elevational view of the switch operator as seen in FIGURE 2 looking from the top to the bottom;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of one of the torque plates;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the actuating plate;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken transversely approximately on line 66 of FIGURE 1 and showing the switch operator of the invention on a somewhat smaller scale and in plan with the parts in a stationary position;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but showing the parts of the switch operator in a partially cocked position;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 and which shows the parts of the switch operator in a fully cocked position and with one of the hold and release elements in a release position;

FIGURE 9 is another view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing the switch operator in the next stationary switch position from FIGURE 6, the operator having been rotated angularly approximately sixty degrees.

FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view taken substantially along line 1010 of FIGURE 1 and showing on a reduced scale the locking plate mechanism and the padlocks for locking the same;

FIGURE 11 is a front elevational view similar to FIGURE 10' but showing one padlock removed and with the switch structure rotated into an open position;

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view similar to FIG- URE 11 but showing the pivoted locking lever in a released position so that the switch structure can be actuated into a ground position;

FIGURE 13 is a front elevational view similar to FIGURE 12 and showing the switch structure in a grounded position; and

FIGURE 14 is a detail view showing the structural features of one of the pivot guides.

The switch operator of the invention is interposed between a manually operable shaft 10, FIGURES l, 2 and 3, and a switch actuating shaft 12 which carries the movable contacts of the electric switch. The locking plate mechanism is located exteriorly of a partition wall 13 which may be the end wall of the switch housing, the same containing oil and thus the switch operator is located on the opposite side of the partition wall and is immersed in the oil for reasons well understood in the art. The switch operator essentially consists of a switch actuating plate 14 FIGURE 5, and a pair of torque plates 15 and 16 FIGURES 1 and 4, a torque plate being located on respective sides of the actuating plate and all three plates being disposed parallel to each other. The studs 17 FIGURE 3, are fixed to the actuating plate 14 and they extend through slots 18 of special curvature in the torque plate 16 to receive the shaft anchoring plate member 20. The plate member is secured to the studs by the securing screws 21 and the switch actuating shaft 12 is suitably fixed to the plate member. Rotation of the actuating plate is accordingly imparted to the actuating shaft 12 to in turn actuate the switch contacts.

The torque plates 15 and 16 are securely fixed to the manually operable shaft 10 so that the operator may turn the shaft to rotate the torque plates and cock the switch operator. To assist the operator or switchman in rotating the shaft 10 the handle 22 is provided and the same is detachable from the hexagonal nut 23. The nut is non-rotatably fixed on shaft 10 being retained in place by the cap 24 and the threaded bolt 25.

A locking plate 26 is nou-rotatably fixed to the shaft 10 whereas the segment plate 27 is independently rotatable about shaft 10. The plates are held in spaced relation by the washer 28. Plate 27 is held against a shoulder provided by the retaining ring 30 and thus the segment plate is properly spaced with respect to the base plate 31. The base plate is fixed to the partition wall 13 being supported in spaced relation on the wall by the studs 32 and secured by the securing screws 33. As best shown in FIGURES lOto 13 the plates 26 and 27 are provided with oblong openings 34 for receiving a padlock such as 36 when the openings are aligned so as to lock the switch structure in either a closed, open or in a grounded position. The several positions of the switch contacts are indicated on an arcuate bar 37 having depending supports 38 which are employed to fixedly secure the arcuate bar to the base plate. Additional depending posts 40 also fixed to the base plate divide the arcuate bar into quadrants 35 and which are respectively indicated as Closed, Open and Ground. The position of the switch with respect to each quadrant is indicated by the pointer 41 on the plate 26.

The segment plate 27 is formed to provide an extension 42 and which is normally positioned between the right hand support 38 and the stop portion 43 on the pivot end of the latching lever 44. The lever can be locked in a stop position as regards the extension 42 by the padlock 45. By means of such locking structure the segment plate is locked in a position preventing the switchman from locating the switch contacts in a ground position. The pointer 41 provides a depending stop 46 FIGURE 12, and which will contact the straight edge of the segment plate should the operator attempt to move the switch contacts so as to ground the switch. However, the padlock can be removed as shown in FIGURES 12 and 13. This allows the lever 44 to drop down and the stop portion 45 is removed as an obstruction and the segment plate 27 is free, thus permitting the operator to ground the switch. The latching lever is provided for the sole purpose of requiring the switchman to perform a special task before it is possible for him to connect the switch contacts to the ground terminals.

Since the manually operable shaft 10 extends into the switch housing and which contains oil, it is necessary to provide an oil seal for the rotatable shaft. This is effected by the retaining ring 30 which provides the O- ring seal 47 having sealing contact with the shaft 10. The retaining ring is threaded to the collar 48 and the said ring and the collar have clamping relation with partition wall 13. The seal is completed by compressing the gasket 49. The shaft It) continues inwardly of the switch housing and the inward projecting end of shaft 10 carries the torque plates 15 and 16. The torque plates are retained in the proper spaced relation on shaft 10 by a ring member which is thus located within the central opening 50 FIGURE 5, of the actuating plate 14. A Washer 51 FIGURE 3, and a securing screw 52 retain the various parts on shaft 10. It will accordingly be understood that the torque plates are capable of rotation independently of the actuating plate, although all three plates will rotate on the same axis.

The switch actuator is cocked by the switchman by manually rotating the torque plates 15 and 16. This action stores energy in power means in the form of a pair of coil springs 54 and 55 normally carried by the actuating plate 14. The cocking action compresses the coil springs and while the springs are being compressed the actuating plate is held stationary by a holding and release element. Reference is made to FIGURES 2 and 3 which 'show the powerful coil springs 54 and 55 as extending along respective side edges of the actuator plate and being confined between pivot members 56 and 57 for coil spring 54 and pivot members 58 and 60 for coil spring 55. The pivot members are shown in detail in FIGURE 14 where it will be observed that said members are in the form of a spool having a central groove 61 and a pivot pin 62 projecting from each end. The members 56 and 60 each have a guide sleeve 63 threadedly secured thereto as at 64 FIGURE 2 and the pivot members 57 and 58 have a guide rod 65 likewise threaded thereto as at 66. The sleeves telescope the guide rods and the parts have slidable relation with each other to permit compression of the coil springs. The actuating plate as best shown in FIG- URE 5 is formed with extensions 67 at each end and on both sides and which have an arcuate inside edge 68 for engaging in the center groove 61 of its respective pivot member. In this manner the coil springs and associated parts are carried by the actuating plate, although the pivot members are each removable for compressing the coil springs in a manner as will now be described.

As previously explained the torque plates are rotated for cocking the switch actuator and for this purpose the torque plates are each formed with edge slots 70 FIG- URE 4, a slot being located at each end and on respective sides of each torque plate. The slots are so constructed and arranged that they receive the pivot pins 62 of the pivot members respectively. Also the inclination of the slots has been designed to not only receive a pivot pin but to maintain full seating relation with the pin while the torque plate is being rotated. The inclination is such as to follow substantially the are from the center of the plate. Also since the torque plates are located on respective sides of the actuating plate, the pivot pins of the pivot members will be engaged both top and bottom.

FIGURES 6 to 9, inclusive, illustrate a cooking operation on the present switch actuating mechanism and wherein the handle is rotated clockwise to actuate the torque plates in the same direction. During this cocking action it will be understood that the actuating plate 14 is held in a stationary position. From the switch position as shown in FIGURE 6 the rotation of the torque plates is clockwise to the position shown in FIGURE 7. As a result the pivot members 56 and 60- have been removed from their normal seated relation with the actuating plate and the coil springs 54 and 55 are compressed. During this action the sleeves 63 slide on their respective guide rod 65. The cocking continues until full compression of the 'coil springs is reached as shown in FIGURE 8. One of the hold and release elements to be presently described has been simultaneously withdrawn from a holding to a release position and accordingly the actuating plate is released and it is propelled by the energy stored in the coil springs into the next angular switch position of approximately sixty degrees, the same being shown in FIGURE 9. By repeating the above described operation the contacts of the switch can be moved with a rapid snap action into the next angular switch position. However, if a return to the switch position of FIGURE 6 is desired, then the cocking must be in a counter-clockwise direction in which event the pivot members 57 and 58 will be removed from their seated relation with the actuating plate.

The holding and release elements are pivotally carried by the actuating plate although they are actuated in a release direction by the rotating movement of one of the torque plates. The mechanism includes, see FIGURES 2 and 8, latch plates 72 and 73 pivoted to the actuating plate 14 at respective ends of the same by means of a pivot stud such as 74. The pivot studs extend completely through the actuating plate to project from each surface thereof and each pivot stud thus pivotally mounts a pair of latch plates disposed top and bottom of the actuating plate. The outer extending end of each pair of triangular latch plates carries a roller which is essentially the hold and release element of the switch operator for one direction of operation. For the latch plates 72 the roller is identified by the numeral 75 and for the latch plates 73 the roller is 76. The pin 77 which journals the roller 75 also has connection with a lever 78 which extends inwardly and terminates in a guide spool 80. The spool is located in one of the arcuate openings 18 in the torque plate FIGURE 3, and the flanges of the spool have a location on respective sides of said torque plate. By this construction the spool is held within the slotted opening and will have freedom of movement to permit the required rotations of the torque plate. A torsion spring 81 is located on each side of the actuating plate for resiliently biasing the roller 75 in an outward direction. The torsion springs are coiled around a common retaining pin 82 and one end of each is in contact with the roller, whereas the opposite end of each torsion spring is fixed to a stop indicated by the numeral 83 and anchored to the actuating plate.

The roller 76 has a similar structure associated therewith including the lever 84 which terminates in the guide spool 85 having location in the other arcuate opening 18 in torque plate 15. The torsion springs 86 maintain the roller in an outward position, the torsion springs at one end having contact with the roller and after coiling around the retaining pin 87 the springs are fixed to the stop 88. The stops 83 and 88 are also effective in limiting pivotal movement of their latch plate in an outward direction.

In accordance with the invention the rollers '75 and 76 are adapted to coact with fixed stops 9%, 91, 92, 93, etc., which are anchored to the partition wall 13 and project into the path of the rollers. With the rollers being located in their outward position into which position they are yieldingly biased by the torsion springs, the roller 75 will contact the stops 90, 91, etc., and rotation will be limited and thus controlled when the actuator is rotated in a clockwise direction. The roller 76 will contact the stops to limit and control rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. For the cocking operation as shown in FIG- URES 6 to 9, inclusive, the torque plates were described as being rotated in a clockwise direction and thus the roller 75 is the efiective hold and release element during cocking. In FIGURE 7 the roller 75 is in contact with the fixed stop 90 and the latch plate 72 is in engagement with the stop pin 83. Thus the actuating plate is held stationary. As rotation of the torque plate continues the spool guide 80 will ride the elongated, arcuate opening 18 until the end of the opening is reached whereupon the spool guide 80, the lever 78 and latch plate 72 will be drawn inwardly into a release position as regards the roller 75. When this release position is reached FIGURE 8, the actuating plate 14 is free to rotate and the same is propelled by the coil springs causing the switch actuator to move into the next angular switch position. In moving from position 8 to position 9, the roller 75, which has been yieldingly forced into its normal outward location, will be caused to contact the stop 91, and simultaneously, roller 76 will be forcibly rolled under stop 94 and will be yieldingly forced into its normal outward location and will be caused by torsion spring 86 to contact stop 94 after rebound. Thus the actuating plate has been stopped and locked in position and will remain stationary as shown in FIGURE 9 until again activated.

In the event the cocking of the switch actuator is due to rotation of the torque plates in a counter-clockwise direction, then the roller 76 is the effective hold and release element during cocking. Referring to FIGURE 6 the roller will contact the stop 93 and act to hold the actuating plate stationary. Eventually the spool guide 85 will reach the end of the opening 18 and through the lever 84 the roller will be withdrawn to release the actuating plate which is accordingly rotated in a counterclockwise direction by the energy stored in the coil springs.

The switch actuator of the invention is accordingly characterized by the fact that both of the coil springs 54 and 55 are compressed to store energy during a cocking operation and this action is the same irrespective of the direction of rotation of the torque plates. Also the structure is unique in that two rollers and 76 are provided on respective ends of the actuating plate although only one roller will be elfective during cocking as a hold and release element. One hold and release element is operative for holding the actuating plate and for releasing the plate upon full compression of the coil springs when the torque plates are rotated in the selected direction. The other hold and release element is operative at the end of the arc travel after being forcibly rolled under its fixed stop and has snapped back to its normal outward location. This other hold and release element will contact the corresponding fixed stop after rebound to effectively lock the actuating plate and switch operating shaft in a stationary position. The coil springs and associated parts are normally carried by the actuating plate. However, in the cocking operation one end of each coil spring is actually lifted and removed from its seating relation with actuating plate. This mode of operation of the present switch operator is made possible by the pivot members 56 and 66, inclusive, and by the special slots 70 formed in the torque plates which coact with the pivot pins of the pivot members.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as various other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a multiple position switch operator, in combination, a rotatable shaft for actuating electric switch mechanism, an actuating plate for said shaft, power means in the form of coil springs carried by said plate, at least one hold and release element also carried by the actuating plate and adapted to have pivotal movement to and from a stop and a release position, a torque plate in associated relation with the actuating plate and capable of independent rotation on the same axis as the rotatable shaft, said torque plate when rotated in a selected direction being effective to store energy in the coil springs by compressing said springs while the actuating plate is held stationary by the hold and release element, and said torque plate when thus rotated having operation to cause pivotal movement of the hold and release element and which moves the said element into a release position when the coil springs are fully compressed, whereby rotation of the actuating plate takes place as a result of the energy stored in the coil springs to thus actuate the electric switch mechanism.

2. A multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 1, wherein a coil spring is located along each side edge of the actuating plate and a hold and release element is located at each end of the plate, and wherein a pair of torque plates are employed with the actuating plate being located between the torque plates and with all three plates being disposed substantially parallel to each other.

3. A multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 1, wherein a coil spring is located along each side edge of the actuating plate and a hold and release element is located at each end of the plate, wherein a pair of torque plates are employed with the actuating plate being located between the torque plates and with all three plates being disposed substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the stop and release positions of the hold and release elements take place with respect to fixed stop members.

4. In a multiple position switch operator, in combination, a rotatable shaft for actuating electric switch mechanism, an actuating plate for said shaft, power means comprising two coil springs carried by the actuating plate and located along respective sides of the plate, a pair of hold and release elements carried by the actuating plate at respective ends and adapted to have pivotal movement to and from a stop and a release position, resilient means yieldingly biasing each hold and release element in an outward stop position, a pair of torque plates in spaced relation, the said actuating plate being located therebetween and said torque plates having operative association with the coil springs, a manually operable shaft for the torque plates for rotating said plates independently of the actuating plate but on the same axis, said torque plates when rotated in either direction being effective to store energy in the coil springs by compressing said springs while the actuating plate is held stationary by one of the hold and release elements, and said torque plates when thus rotated having operation to cause pivotal movement of the hold and release elements and which moves the said element into a release position when the coil springs are fully compressed, whereby rotation of the actuating plate takes place as a result of the energy stored in the coil springs to thus actuate the electric switch mechanism.

5. A multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 4, wherein said hold and release elements are adapted to coact with fixed stops, wherein one hold and release element is operative for holding the actuating plate and for releasing the plate upon full compression of the coil springs when the torque plates are rotated in a clockwise direction, and wherein the other hold and release element is operative for the same purpose when the torque plates are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

6. A multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 4, wherein at least one of the torque plates is formed with an elongated opening, and additionally including a guide spool adapted to ride in said opening, and a lever connecting the guide spool with one of said hold and release elements, whereby predetermined rotation of said one of the torque plates in a certain direction will withdraw the hold and release element into a release position.

7. A multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 4, wherein one of said torque plates is formed with an arcuate, elongated opening on respective sides of its axis of rotation, and additionally including a guide spool in each opening adapted to ride the opening, and a lever connecting the guide spools with the hold and release elements respectively, whereby predetermined rotation of said one of the torque plates in a certain direction will withdraw one hold and release element into a release position, and whereby predetermined rotation in a reverse direction will withdraw the other hold and release element also into a release position.

8. In a multiple position switch operator, in combination, a rotatable shaft for actuating electric switch mechanism, an actuating plate for said shaft, power means in the form of coil springs releasably mounted on said plate, at least one hold and release roller also carried by the actuating plate and adapted to have bodily movement to and from a stop and a release position, a torque plate in associated relation with the actuating plate and capable of independent rotation on the same axis as the rotatable shaft, said torque plate when rotated in a selected direction being effective to store energy in the coil springs by compressing said springs while the actuating plate is held stationary by the hold and release roller, said torque plate when thus rotated having operation to cause bodily movement of the hold and release roller and which moves the roller into a release position when the coil springs are fully compressed, whereby rotation of the actuating plate takes place as a result of the energy stored in the coil springs to thus actuate the electric switch mechanism, a latch plate pivotally carried by the actuating plate, said hold and release roller being carried by the latch plate, and a lever operatively connecting the latch plate with the torque plate in a manner which moves the roller into a release position when the torque plate has rotated sufficiently to fully compress the coil springs.

9. A multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 8, wherein a pair of hold and release rollers are bodily carried by the actuating plate being located at respective ends of the plate, wherein each roller is pivotally carried by a pair of latch plates pivoted to the plate and located top and bottom of the plate, and additionally including resilient spring means for each roller for yield ingly forcing the latch plates which carry the roller into an outward stop position as regards said roller.

10. A multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 8, additionally including a pivot member at each end of each coil spring for releasably mounting the coil springs on the actuating plate, and wherein the torque plate upon rotation thereof effects compression of the coil springs by lifting one pivot member of each coil spring from its mounting on the actuating plate and by moving the lifted pivot member towards its other pivot member which has remained in mounted relation on the actuating plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1950 Rowe 74-97 9/1964 Hermann 200-63 

